Hill 225 is a strategic border point between Thailand and Cambodia, located not far from Ta Kwai Temple in Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province. It is an important strategic area on the Thailand-Cambodia border that became a fierce battlefield during 1985-1987, with the following key details.
1. Location: Hill 225 is part of the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range, which forms the natural border between Thailand and Cambodia.
2. Importance in the Thailand-Cambodia conflict.
The significance of this hill lies not only in its height but also in its military advantage during the period when Vietnamese forces entered Cambodia and sought to eliminate opposition groups along the border.
Strategic terrain control: Hill 225 is a high ground that offers extensive views of movements within Cambodia. Whoever controls this hill gains an advantage in surveillance and artillery deployment.
Sovereignty violation: In 1985, Vietnamese troops crossed into Thai territory and occupied Phanom Pa Hill (including Hills 225, 234, and 243) to use as a base for attacks against the Khmer factions. This led the Thai military to initiate operations to drive out the invaders.
Victory Operation: Hill 225 was a primary target in Thailand’s "Victory Operation," one of the bloodiest and longest battles for the Thai military. Thai soldiers had to navigate extensive minefields and heavy enemy fire to reclaim the area.